Theory I Management

The concept of Theory i Management was coined by noted economist and management guru-Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri.Like Theory X which tried to define a worker in its own manner as a mindless lazy rascal who loves shirking responsibilities and the Theory Y which tried to define the worker as an ambitious responsible citizen looking for the right environment to contribute constructively, Theory i is an attempt to understand and define the Indian worker just like the Japanese had tried to do with their Theory Z. Theory i Management is about India centric management styles for managing Indians at work.

Prof. Chaudhuri believes that inspite of India having the best reservoir of skilled human talent,our organizations have not been able to do well.One of the main reason for this has been our failure to develop an indigenous management style,which revolves around our cultural roots and upbringing.

An Indian worker is perhaps looking at a system without ruthless management practices and inhuman work pressure.An Indian worker looks for job security.Prof. Chaudhuri says that while the job security aspectcould be reduced, the human touch in managing Indian workers could be increased. They should be made to feelthat the company cares for them through regular training programmes,family welfare schemes etc. This would increase their level of commitment for the organization they work for. Prof. Chaudhuri believes that human touch can do wonderson an average Indian psyche.Prof. Chaudhuri further suggeststhat professional studies should be made a part of on the job training like in Japan.

Prof. Chaudhuri suggest that it is high time Indian companies start thinking sincerely about their people and develop “Indian- people friendly management practices.Prof. Chaudhuri further adds that Indian managers should write books about how Indian companies are being managed, and we should do away with the foreign books on Management styles.

At macro level, the government and industry needs to realise that success of our industries in the long run depends upon how vast is the market that the economy has been able to give them,how much is the purchasing power of the people in the country.

The people at the bottom level today need to be given a higher purchasing power along with better health and education facilities.

Prof. Chaudhuri confirms that it is purchasing power and only purchasing power of the market that determines the long run growth of any economy, industry and company.

At micro level Indian leaders could do well, perhaps by implementing Theory i Management with the help of Indian leadership techniques which are explained beautifully in some of our epics like '' the Saam, Daam,Dand philosophy in the Geeta”, which talk about flexible styles of handling people based upon situations and backgrounds.

Prof. Chaudhuri further adds that we need to remove the dicotomy existing in our system,where on one hand we keep harping about our culture and its strengths and on the other hand we overlook this aspect completely when it comes to managing our people.